Match pack and cover for a cigarette package



H. c. DANKERT 3,160,272

MATCH PACK AND COVER FOR A CIGARETTE PACKAGE Dec. 8, 1964 Filed Nov. 18,1963 INVENTOR. Henry 6? Dan/fen BY ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofifice3,lfi,2?2 Patented Dec. 8, 1964 3,160,272 MATQH PACK AND COVER FGR ACIGARETTE PACKAGE Henry C. Danlcert, 98 Kings Parkway, Baldwin, NY.Filed Nov. 18, 1963, Ser. No. 324,360 3 Claims. (Cl. 296- 18) Thisinvention relates to a match pack and more particularly to a match packthat is adapted to be utilized as a cigarette package cover and closure.

Match packs are shown to be known in the art in such patents as Beghorn,1,809,372; Beebe, 1,927,200; Gray, 2,055,721 and Weiss, 2,907,453. Theprior art as exemplified by the aforementioned patents were costly andso increased the bulk and size of the cigarette package that theyimposed limitations on their own flexibility of use as well as the useof the cigarette packages to which they were aflixed.

The desideratum of this invention is to provide a match pack that may beapplied to a cigarette package, that need not be formed as an integralpart thereof and thereby is capable of being moved relative to thecigarette package and completely removed therefrom when necessary.

Another object of the invention is to provide a match pack which whenpositioned about a cigarette package serves as a protector for the same.Because of the flexibility of use of the match pack, it can be movedrelative to the cigarette package to cover and uncover an opening topermit or prevent the removal or loss of cigarettes from the package.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a match pack thathas separate utility, but which, when positioned about a cigarettepackage, forms a neat, compact covering support therefor.

A further object and feature of the invention resides in the positioningof the matches and their striking heads such that they are enclosedbetween a side of the match pack and an adjacent side of the cigarettepackage. This feature obviates the possibility of accidentally ignitingthe matches unless they are deliberately and forcefully disconnectedfrom the match pack and thereafter purposely struck on the strikingsurface provided for such function.

Other and further objects of this invention reside in the structures andarrangements hereinafter more fully described with reference to theaccompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the match pack constructed according tothe teaching of the invention in a position covering the opening of acigarette package,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view with the match pack moved relative to thecigarette package to uncover the opening thereof,

FIG. 3 is an edge View of FIG. 1 taken in the direction of lines 33, and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 taken along lines 44.

Referring now to the drawings, the match pack is generally identified bythe numeral 14 The match pack is a hollow sleeve-like member having atop wall 12, a bottom wall 14, a rear side wall 16 and a front side wall18. The hollow member is preferably formed of a relatively stiff yetsufficiently flexible material that will yield slightly under pressureswithout fracturing, yet of nonstretchable characteristics such that itwill retain its shape and form when subjected to forces to which acigarette package is normally subjected. In practice, it has been foundthat a vinyl type plastic material is unusually well suited for thispurpose. The plastic material may be of a clear or transparent resinthereby permitting the advertisement on the cigarette package to beviewed through the match pack 10 when the same is applied to thecigarette package. Although, at times, the match pack 10 has been madewith advertising material of its own, printed on its walls.

The front and rear sides 18 and 16 of the match pack ltl serve tosupportingly space the top and bottom walls 12 and 14 from each other inan integral continuous endless construction. Mounted on the top wall 12is a striking surface 20. The striking surface 29 may comprise anysuitable abrasive material against which match heads may be struck tocause them to ignite.

Connected to the interior surface of the front side wall 18 are aplurality of matches 22. Each match 22 has a striking head 24 that islocated behind and between the lengthwise extent of the side wall 18from the back edge 26 to the front edge 27 thereof. The matches 22 arepositioned in adjacent array extending substantially from the top wall12 to the bottom wall 14. A sufiicient number of matches are provided toat least equal the number of cigarettes in a package. The matches areconnected in their adjacent array to the interior surface of the wall 18by any suitable adhesive means 28. The adhesive means 28 serves toconnect a lengthwise portion of each match, at a point thereof that isadjacent to but spaced from the striking heads 24 thereof, to theinterior surface of the front side wall 18. The strength of the adhesivemeans 28 need not be too great and only of sufficient adheringcharacteristics as to retain the matches 22 against the interior surfaceof the wall 18 to prevent their accidental disconnection therefrom. Theadhesive means 28 is adapted to release when a sufficient manual forceor tug is applied to the matches 22 at their exposed ends that extendbeyond the ack edge 26 of the front wall 13.

In practice, the match pack 10 has utility by itself. The matches 22,being secured to the interior surface of the wall 18, have theirstriking heads 24 so hidden that the same cannot be accidentallyignited. However, when it is desired to use one of the matches, the endthereof, extending beyond the back edge 26 of the wall 13, is manuallygrasped preferably between the thumb and forefinger and pulled in thedirection lengthwise away from the back edge 26. A slight pull or tug issufficient to overcome the connecting force of the adhesive means 28 todisconnect the match 22 from the match pack 10. Thereafter, the strikinghead of the disconnected match can be struck against the surface 20causing the same to ignite.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that when the match pack 16 ispositioned about a cigarette package such as that generally identifiedby the numeral 39, the function of the match pack remains the same.However, its purposes are now enhanced in its ability to performadditional beneficial functions. The soft cigarette package 3% usuallyhas top, bottom, rear and front walls 32, 34, 36 and 38 respectivelyformed of paper material. Each of these cigarette package wallscorrespond to and are relatively spaced from each other slightly lessthan the respective top, bottom, rear and front walls 12 to 18 of thematch pack 1%. In consequence, the match pack 19 is adapted to receivethe cigarette package 30 closely therewithin and to permit the cigarettepackage to slide relative thereto from a closed position as shown inFIG. 1 to an open position as shown in FIG. 2.

As is usual with cigarette packages of the type 30, an opening 49 isnormally made in the top surface 32 thereof to enable cigarettes 42 tobe dispensed or withdrawn from the package. In the present invention,the extent of the walls 12 to 18 of the match pack 10 is such that theyare materially shorter in length from the front edge 27 to the back edge26 than that of the corresponding walls of the cigarette package 30.Further, lengthwise distance between the ends of the matches 22extending beyond the back edge 26 of the front wall 18 to the front edge27 is less than that of the corresponding front interior surface of thefront wall 18, are positioned within the confining extent and protectionof the wall 38 and snugly between the front wall 18 and the front Wall38 of the cigarette package 30 in the manner as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and4 of the drawing. When so positioned, the match heads 24 are fullycovered and are prevented from accidental removal or disconnection fromthe front wall 18. They are also protected against rubbing engagementwith any surface that may tend to cause the same opening 40 of thecigarette package 30 is fully covered by the top wall 12 of the matchpack thereby preventing accidental loss or crushing of the cigarettes42. The walls of the cigarette package 30 corresponding-to theencompassing, surrounding walls of the match pack 10 are supportinglyengaged thereby and are prevented from accidental crushing or damage. Inthe position of FIG. 1, it is to be noted that the lengthwise extentbetween the front edge 42 of the front wall 18 and the externalextending ends of the matches 22 is no greater than the lengthwiseextent of the adjacent corresponding side wall 38 of the cigarettepackage 30. In consequence, the whole of the match pack 10 including theextending match ends do not project beyond any part or portion of thewall 38 of the cigarette package. a compact cover for the cigarettepackage, adding no greater bulk to the cigarette package than the samehad when originally manufactured. In addition, the match pack 10provides the proper support for the walls of a soft cigarette package 30to prevent damage to the same and its contents.

When it is desired to dispense or withdraw a cigarette 42 from thecigarette package 30, the package 30 and the match pack 10 are movedrelative to each other to the position shown in FIG. 2. In thisposition, the opening 40 of the cigarette package is exposed permittingthe withdrawal of the cigarettes 42 therefrom. At the same time, theends of the matches 22 extending beyond the pack edge 26 of the frontwallls are now exposed. The user now may simply manually grip any one ofthe matches between the thumb and forefinger and by tugging slightly onthe same, overcome the force of the adhesive 28 thereby disconnectingthe match from the wall 13. The match may now be struck on the surface20 causing its ignition.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out thefundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferredembodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions andsubstitutions and changes in the form and details of the deviceillustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in theart, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

This results in It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only asindicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim: i. In combination, a match pack and cigarette package,

said match pack comprising a hollow member having a top, a bottom andtwo sides each integrally connecting said top and bottom together, saidtop, bottom and sides each being of uniform length, a plurality ofmatches connected to the interior surface of one of said sides inadjacent array downward therealong substantially from said top to saidbottom, each of said matches having an end thereof extending lengthwisebeyond an edge of said one side to be manually disconnected from saidinterior surface, said member defining a sleeve slidably receiving apackage of cigarettes therein having an opening in the top thereofthrough which cigarettes may be withdrawn whereby said top, bottom andsides of said member correspond to respective top, bottom and sides ofthe cigarette package, said uniform width of said member being less thanthat of the corresponding respective top, bottom and sides of thecigarette package to enable said member to he slid relative to thecigarette package to a position whereby said uniform width of saidmember including said extending match ends are positioned between theedges of said corresponding respective side of the cigarette package,each of said matches having a striking head, said striking heads of saidmatches being positioned adjacent said interior surface of said one sideof said member, and adhesive means adjacent the striking head of eachmatch connecting the same to said interior surface whereby, when saidsleeve member is moved relative to the cigarette package to cover theopening, said one side and said connected extending match ends arepositioned between the edges of the corresponding sides of the cigarettepackage. a V

2. A match pack as in claim 1, and a striking surface on said top ofsaid member directed lengthwise therealong against which the strikinghead of each of said matches may be struck for ignition.

3.-In a cigarette package as in claim 1, said hollow member being formedof a relatively flexible material engagingly supporting thecorresponding top, sides and bottom of the cigarette package.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,227,159 5/17Lamberson 206-48 1,507,361 9/24 Barnett 206-48 1,596,740 8/26, Komer206-48 1,904,193 4/33 Berg.

2,012,557 8/ 35 Willens 206-48 2,640,588 6/53 Dunn 206-48 3,081,866 3/63Diamant 206-29 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. GEORGE Q. RALSTON,Examiner,

1. IN COMBINATION, A MATCH PACK AND CIGARETTE PACKAGE, SAID MATCH PACKCOMPRISING A HOLLOW MEMBER HAVING A TOP, A BOTTOM AND TWO SIDES EACHINTEGRALLY CONNECTING SAID TOP AND BOTTOM TOGETHER, SAID TOP, BOTTOM ANDSIDES EACH BEING OF UNIFORM LENGTH, A PLURALITY OF MATCHES CONNECTED TOTHE INTERIOR SURFACE OF ONE OF SAID SIDES IN ADJACENT ARRAY DOWNWARDTHEREALONG SUBSTANTIALLY FROM SAID TOP TO SAID BOTTOM, EACH OF SAIDMATCHES HAVING AN END THEREOF EXTENDING LENGTHWISE BEYOND AN EDGE OFSAID ONE SIDE TO BE MANUALLY DISCONNECTED FROM SAID INTERIOR SURFACE,SAID MEMBER DEFINING A SLEEVE SLIDABLY RECEIVING A PACKAGE OF CIGARETTESTHEREIN HAVING AN OPENING IN THE TOP THEREOF THROUGH WHICH CIGARETTESMAY BE WITHDRAWN WHEREBY SAID TOP, BOTTOM AND SIDES OF SAID MEMBERCORRESPOND TO RESPECTIVE TOP, BOTTOM AND SIDES OF THE CIGARETTE PACKAGE,SAID UNIFORM WIDTH OF SAID MEMBER BEING LESS SIDES OF THE CIGARETTEPACKAGE TO ENABLE SAID MEMBER TO BE SLID RELATIVE TO THE CIGARETTEPACKAGE TO A POSITION WHEREBY SAID UNIFORM WIDTH OF SAID MEMBERINCLUDING SAID EXTENDING MATCH ENDS ARE POSITIONED BETWEEN THE EDGES OFSAID CORRESPONDING RESPECTIVE SIDE OF THE CIGARETTE PACKAGE, EACH OFSAID MATCHES HAVING A STRIKING HEAD, SAID STRIKING HEADS OF SAID MATCHESBEING POSITIONED ADJACENT SAID INTERIOR SURFACE OF SAID ONE SIDE OF SAIDMEMBER, AND ADHESIVE MEANS ADJACENT THE STRIKING HEAD OF EACH MATCHCONNECTING THE SAME TO SAID INTERIOR SURFACE WHEREBY, WHEN SAID SLEEVEMEMBER IS MOVED RELATIVE TO THE CIGARETTE PACKAGE TO COVER THE OPENING,SAID ONE SIDE AND SAID CONNECTED EXTENDING MATCH ENDS ARE POSITIONEDBETWEEN THE EDGES OF THE CORRESPONDING SIDES OF THE CIGARETTE PACKAGE.